History of Digital Marketing

Throughout the centuries there are key events that have shaped our definition of marketing and this unique form of communication between company and consumer.

Although not a new concept, marketing has evolved significantly since the start of the digital age. With the internet boom and the creation of different online mediums, digital marketing has either accompanies or has entirely replaced traditional, offline marketing.

Take a read through our interactive MintTwist Digital Timeline and discover more about these pivotal moments.

In late 2002, Reid Hoffman recruited a team of old colleagues from SocialNet and PayPal to work on a proposal he had recently brainstormed. And just six months later, LinkedIn was launched. Who needs business cards?

One of the first social networking sites, MySpace offered users the ability to share personal profiles, photos, music and videos. Additionally, MySpace provided users the space to engage with groups and blogs. In 2006 in the U.S, the social platform was more visited then Google. It was acquired by News Corporation in 2005 for $580million.

On 28 April, 2003 Apple launched the iTunes Music Store, an online music store that allows customers to quickly find, purchase and download an exact song or album for a minimal price, without subscription fees.

Adding to the already massive popularity of Google, Google launches Google Grants, which provides non-profit organisations with $10,000 per month of in-kind AdWords advertising to promote their initiatives.

Google AdSense is an advertising placement service. The platform allows publishers to present specific advertisements on specific website pages with the aim of earning revenue every time a visitors views or clocks the ad.